Unresolved: A True Crime & Mystery Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Waco (Part Five: Showtime) Mar 27, 2023

Show notes

"We fell right into the hands of Koresh and all those nuts. This is what he wanted, to make it appear that the government was going to kill his people. He wanted Armageddon. Our biggest mistake was that we made it so easy for him."
In 1992, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms opened up an investigation into David Koresh and the rest of the Branch Davidians living in their compound near Waco, Texas. Hoping to find evidence of illegal weapons, the ATF began a series of undercover operations to obtain proof the following January.
After nearly two months of surveillance and infiltration, the ATF gave the order to move forward with a plan to raid the Mount Carmel Center, which Koresh and the Davidians had recently transformed into a stronghold. The ATF's operation, codenamed "Showtime," would set the stage for the fiasco that followed...
Part 5/7
Research, writing, hosting, and production by Micheal Whelan
Learn more about this podcast at http://unresolved.me
If you would like to support this podcast and others, consider heading to https://www.patreon.com/unresolvedpod to become a Patron or Producer
Music Credits
Half Light - "From Below (Instrumental)"
Adi Goldstein - "Behind Clouds (Instrumental)"
All other music composed by Micheal Whelan
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Waco (Interlude: Ruby Ridge) Mar 20, 2023

Show notes

"If any adult in the area around the cabin is observed with a weapon after the surrender announcement had been made, deadly force could and should be used to neutralize the individual."
The 1992 Ruby Ridge siege is a seminal event in American history, having become a symbol of government overreach and serving as a precursor to the Waco tragedy in 1993. It also served as a rallying cry for anti-government groups and militias throughout the 1990s, and led to an increase in violent rhetoric that lingers to this day.
For that reason, we're going to take a slight detour in our ongoing coverage of the Branch Davidian saga to briefly touch upon this story, and learn about how it ultimately had an effect on the events unfolding down in Waco, Texas...
Research, writing, hosting, and production by Micheal Whelan
All music composed by Micheal Whelan
Learn more about this podcast at http://unresolved.me
If you would like to support this podcast and others, consider heading to https://www.patreon.com/unresolvedpod to become a Patron or Producer
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/unresolved-a-true-crime-mystery-podcast--3266604/support.

Waco (Part Four: The Sinful Messiah) Mar 13, 2023

Show notes

"We're doing what we're doing and nobody's going to stop us."
In 1988, David Koresh and his followers returned to their old home just outside of Waco, where the Shepherd's Rod movement had settled decades prior. With his longtime nemesis George Roden gone, David was finally able to settle into his new role as the president of the church.
As the Branch Davidians began the arduous process of rebuilding the Mount Carmel Center - and his authority swelled - David began implementing a series of changes that would ultimately bring his burgeoning kingdom crashing down around him...
Part 4/7
Research, writing, hosting, and production by Micheal Whelan
All music composed by Micheal Whelan
Learn more about this podcast at http://unresolved.me
If you would like to support this podcast and others, consider heading to https://www.patreon.com/unresolvedpod to become a Patron or Producer
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/unresolved-a-true-crime-mystery-podcast--3266604/support.

Waco (Part Three: Rodenville) Feb 27, 2023

Show notes

"When they sent that letter out, I knew they were coming. They sent an article removing me as trustee, now they've come to finish the job and remove me from the land."
In 1985, Vernon Howell left Mount Carmel with his followers, bound for destinations unknown. Over the next few years, they would struggle to find a place to build their permanent headquarters as they attempted to try and swell their ranks with new converts.
Meanwhile, back in Waco, George Roden's erratic nature left him with a dwindling congregation. So he decided to risk a gambit in order to try and win them back. In 1987, he exhumed a body and issued a challenge to his rival, claiming that whoever was able to resurrect the long-deceased woman would be named the uncontested leader of the Branch Davidians. Vernon Howell - now using the name David Koresh - had other plans...
Part 3/7
Research, writing, hosting, and production by Micheal Whelan
All music composed by Micheal Whelan, except for "Man Man in Waco" by David Koresh, taken from one of his few studio recordings
Learn more about this podcast at http://unresolved.me
If you would like to support this podcast and others, consider heading to https://www.patreon.com/unresolvedpod to become a Patron or Producer
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/unresolved-a-true-crime-mystery-podcast--3266604/support.

Waco (Part Two: The Serpent's Root) Feb 20, 2023

Show notes

"In his younger years, he had a hard time. He was always looking for something. He had his rock-and-roll; he had his women. But it was never enough."
Vernon Wayne Howell struggled to find a sense of stability early in life. Born to a single teenage mother in Texas in 1959, Vernon was abandoned to his maternal grandmother before his second birthday. His mother would take custody of him again later in his childhood, but it was alleged that her husband - Vernon's stepfather - was abusive toward him.
Entering adulthood as a high school dropout, Vernon had a lot of issues that had yet to be addressed. After suffering a series of rejections in his personal life, he ended up turning toward the one constant in his life, faith. During his search there, he ended up coming across a group of like-minded individuals in central Texas, who viewed the Bible similarly to himself. Through them, Vernon would find the things that had been eluding him for years...
Part 2/7
Research, writing, hosting, and production by Micheal Whelan
All music composed by Micheal Whelan, except for "Instrumental Jam" by David Koresh, taken from a live recording in Waco
Learn more about this podcast at http://unresolved.me
If you would like to support this podcast and others, consider heading to https://www.patreon.com/unresolvedpod to become a Patron or Producer
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/unresolved-a-true-crime-mystery-podcast--3266604/support.

Waco (Part One: The Shepherd's Rod) Feb 13, 2023

Show notes

"Our prayers for such an undertaking on behalf of God's people will be answered by whatever the results to this call might be."
More than a century before David Koresh or the Branch Davidians became household names, the religious movements that led to their existence began growing out of the American Northeast. First came William Miller and the Millerites, a collapsed movement that ended up inspiring the Seventh-Day Adventists years later.
In the early 20th century, an Adventist named Victor Houteff wrote a book titled The Shepherd's Rod, which he hoped would help reform the church. After being disfellowshipped for creating a "disloyal" and "divisive movement," Houteff ended up building his own church, the Davidians, nearby Waco, Texas...
Part 1/7
Research, writing, hosting, and production by Micheal Whelan
Learn more about this podcast at http://unresolved.me
If you would like to support this podcast and others, consider heading to https://www.patreon.com/unresolvedpod to become a Patron or Producer
Music Credits:
Noisyfilter - "Repose"
Acedis - "Illustrations"
Mystery Mammal - "O Come O Come Emmanuel"
Rest You Sleeping Giant - "Dead Waters"
Graham Bole - "Gloci"
Blue Dot Sessions - "Svela Tal"
Percival Pembroke - "Music For Haunted Orbital Research Stations"
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/unresolved-a-true-crime-mystery-podcast--3266604/support.

Waco (Prelude: Interview with Jeff Guinn) Jan 30, 2023

Show notes

"There are no heroes or villains in this story, but neither are there saints or martyrs."
Today's episode features an interview with author Jeff Guinn, author of the new book "Waco: David Koresh, the Branch Davidians, and a Legacy of Rage." In it, we chat about Jeff's work writing the book, as well as details about the Branch Davidians, David Koresh, and more.
Please make sure to check out Jeff's book wherever you can, or learn more at Simon & Shuster:
https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Waco/Jeff-Guinn/9781982186104
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/unresolved-a-true-crime-mystery-podcast--3266604/support.

Linda Malcom Jan 23, 2023

Show notes

"There are a lot of actions this killer took. Stabbing her 18 times, setting the house on fire.... They took additional measures that weren't necessary to kill her, a level of overkill."
In the early morning hours of 30 April 2008, authorities in Kitsap County, Washington were contacted by residents in Port Orchard. There, along the 1100 block of Sidney Avenue, a fire had broken out, and just before 4:00 AM that Wednesday, the flames had become evident to sleeping neighbors.
Firefighters quickly put out the flames and discovered the remains of the woman that lived inside, 47-year-old Linda Malcom. A Navy veteran, Linda had lived in the home for over a decade, and was prepared to move to nearby Bremerton just days later. Yet, before she could take this next step in her life, an unknown subject had stabbed her to death and then set her longtime home on fire...
Special thanks to Jennifer Bucholtz and George Jared, who have taken on Linda's case as their next case to highlight. Jennifer and George have highlighted similar stories in the past, helping some cases find resolution, and hope to do the same for Linda's story. If you'd like to follow their progress, please follow along in their Facebook group, "Unsolved Murder of Linda Malcom," which can be found at the following link:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/805715740615538
If you know anything - or think you may know anything - you are encouraged to reach out to Jennifer and George, or can directly contact the Port Orchard Police Department at the following:

Phone: (360) 876-1700
Email: police@portorchardwa.gov

Research, writing, hosting, and production by Micheal Whelan
"Unresolved" themes composed by Ailsa Traves
Learn more about this podcast at http://unresolved.me
If you would like to support this podcast and others, consider heading to https://www.patreon.com/unresolvedpod to become a Patron or Producer
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/unresolved-a-true-crime-mystery-podcast--3266604/support.

Preview: The Bunker (Resolved) Jan 20, 2023

Show notes

This is a brief preview for the newest episode of my Patreon-exclusive show, Resolved, available now for all $5+ supporters. To learn more about this series - and how you can listen - consider heading to:
https://www.patreon.com/unresolvedpod
This episode can be found at the following link:
https://www.patreon.com/posts/77477215
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/unresolved-a-true-crime-mystery-podcast--3266604/support.

"Omar m'a tuer" Jan 09, 2023

Show notes

"The dying woman who points at her own killer - it was like a bad novel by Agatha Christie."
On Monday, 24 June 1991, 65-year-old Ghislaine Marchal had plans to meet up with a friend for lunch in the French town of Mougins. When she failed to respond to any phone calls or attempts to rouse her inside of her home, friends contacted her home's security company, and eventually, law enforcement.
Police arrived at the property later that evening, and during their search, became interested in a an annex leading down to a cellar. There, behind a barricaded door, they'd find Ghislaine's body, along with a message written in blood...
Research & writing by Olivia Paradice
Hosting & production by Micheal Whelan
"Unresolved" themes composed by Ailsa Traves
Learn more about this podcast at http://unresolved.me
If you would like to support this podcast and others, consider heading to https://www.patreon.com/unresolvedpod to become a Patron or Producer
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/unresolved-a-true-crime-mystery-podcast--3266604/support.

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